Freeman was born on 10 January 1948[1] and became a quadriplegic due to polio at the age of two in 1951, while living in the Queensland city of Mount Isa.

She developed a passion for sports competition, having been introduced to archery, field events and swimming during her rehabilitation.

She then moved with her family back to Queensland and spent time at the Kingsholm Rehabilitation Centre in Brisbane.

[2] She won four gold medals in shot put, discus, javelin, and slalom and broke world records in the first two events at the 1974 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in Dunedin.

[4] She hoped to participate in the 1980 Arnhem Paralympics but a car accident just before the games forced her to withdraw from the competition.